Ugh, I'm debating about this gray thing. I've always colored my hair and liked it. But the gray is getting more pronounced which means more color maintenance. A hassle not to mention expensive.

But, I'm just not sure about going gray....am I ready for that? I'm a pretty young looking 48 almost 49....gray just seems to make it obvious you've passed some milestone.

Anyone else struggled with this? I'd be interested in hearing the decision process, either gray or not gray...

I know what you mean. I started going gray in my early 40s and am now am about 90% gray at 56. I thought it was important stay natural and "embrace my age" and tried letting it go gray like some of my friends have, but I missed a couple of job opportunities and suspected it was the gray. Now I am coloring the roots and have lots of highlights. I am lucky my hair does not lie flat on my head so I can go 4 weeks, between colorings. At some point, I will stop dying the roots and go a very light, but not gray color. But I am not sure when....

BTW way those friends that have gone gray well have lots of pink in their skin coloring and young faces and figures.... I do not.

I know what you mean. I started going gray in my early 40s and am now am about 90% gray at 56. I thought it was important stay natural and "embrace my age" and tried letting it go gray like some of my friends have, but I missed a couple of job opportunities and suspected it was the gray. Now I am coloring the roots and have lots of highlights. I am lucky my hair does not lie flat on my head so I can go 4 weeks, between colorings. At some point, I will stop dying the roots and go a very light, but not gray color. But I am not sure when....

BTW way those friends that have gone gray well have lots of pink in their skin coloring and young faces and figures.... I do not.

Going gray is definitely a mixed bag in my experience. I started getting gray at age 24 and by age 30 was coloring my hair because I did not like the "salt & pepper" look. At around 50 I longed for freedom from the mess and gray roots so I decided it was time to go natural! I now get compliments on my white hair but people do seem to perceive me as older than before. I will be looking for new work opportunities soon and am worried that this will be a problem for me. So I am looking at other ways to update my look.

I don't care how "young" you look, gray makes you look older..if that is what you want, then that is what you should do..not color. My sister was totally gray at 28 because of a hysterectomy. She has always looked older than me even though she is actually younger...I personally think you should look as young as you want! So...it has to be personal preference!